The application of thermal analysis to the hydration and conversión Reactions of calcium alumínate Cements

The hydration of calcium aluminates cements is dominated by that of CA, CaAl2O4, which is a major constituent of all of them. At ambient temperatures, CAH10 and an amorphous phase are formed initially, but these are metastable and slowly (or more rapidly if exposed to higher temperatures) transform...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S. M. Bushnell-Watson, J. H. Sharp
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas 1992-12-01
Series:Materiales de Construccion
Online Access:http://materconstrucc.revistas.csic.es/index.php/materconstrucc/article/view/694
Description
Summary:The hydration of calcium aluminates cements is dominated by that of CA, CaAl2O4, which is a major constituent of all of them. At ambient temperatures, CAH10 and an amorphous phase are formed initially, but these are metastable and slowly (or more rapidly if exposed to higher temperatures) transform into C3AH6 and gíbbsite. This conversion reaction is accompanied by and increase ín porosity, which can lead to a loss in strength and vulnerability to chemical attack. Various methods of thermal analysis have been applied as a routine test to determine the degree of conversion, and the results from these methods are critically evaluated. Thermal analysis is a useful technique for identification of the various hydrates that can form in these systems, especially at early stages of hydration when poorly crystalline phases are present. Differential thermal analysis curves showing peaks attributable to all these hydrates are presented and it is shown that overlap frequently occurs, leading to difficulties in interpretation, which can sometimes be minimized by use of a complementary technique such as X-ray diffraction.
ISSN:0465-2746
1988-3226